MANCHESTER 3, WORCESTER 2 (OT)
Manchester’s “Mr. Clutch” came through again on Wednesday, as Bud Holloway connected for his fifth game-winning goal of the playoffs 4:29 into overtime to lift the Monarchs to a 3-2 win at Worcester, evening the Atlantic Division Finals at a game apiece.
Holloway has tallied the game-winner in each of Manchester’s five victories during the playoffs after totaling five game-winners in 75 regular-season contests.
Holloway is now just one shy of the AHL-record six game-winning goals in a single postseason, set by Milwaukee’s Darren Haydar in 2006 en route to a Calder Cup Finals berth. Holloway was assisted on Wednesday’s marker by Justin Azevedo and David Kolomatis.
Azevedo sent the game to overtime when he netted his first goal of the playoffs at 7:37 of the third period, tying the score at 2-2. Holloway picked up an assist on that one.
After a scoreless first period, rookie Corey Elkins tallied a power play goal 10:15 into the second frame to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.
But Sharks rookie Brandon Mashinter responded with his first of the playoffs just 1:07 later, and defenseman Derek Joslin buried a power play marker at 14:46 to put Worcester on top heading into the third. Steven Zalewski chipped in two assists for the Sharks in the losing effort.
Monarchs goaltender Jonathan Bernier earned the win with 31 saves on 33 shots, while Worcester’s Alex Stalock made 28 saves in defeat.
Manchester will now bring home-ice advantage back to the Verizon Wireless for Game 3 of the series on Friday, followed by Game 4 on Saturday.
Atlantic Division Finals – Series “I” (best-of-7)
A1-Worcester Sharks vs. A3-Manchester Monarchs
Game 1 – Sun., Apr. 25 – WORCESTER 4, Manchester 3
Game 2 – Wed., Apr. 28 – Manchester 3, WORCESTER 2 (OT)
Game 3 – Fri., Apr. 30 – Worcester at Manchester, 7:30
Game 4 – Sat., May 1 – Worcester at Manchester, 7:00
Game 5 – Wed., May 5 – Manchester at Worcester, 7:05
*Game 6 – Fri., May 7 – Worcester at Manchester, 7:30
*Game 7 – Sat., May 8 – Manchester at Worcester, 7:05
